replacement CPU cooler advice needed

ian54 · 13 Dec 2011 at 20:05

I haven't got an manually overclocked system as such, I have a Phenom II BE 560 which, by using the auto-unlock and "turbo" function on the motherboard, has made it four core and running at 216Mhz FSB/HT, meaning 4x 3.5Ghz.

The problem is it runs way too hot, and when using a video converter which puts all four cores at 100% the temperature shoots right up and causes a shutdown.

My current cooler is a Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev 2, I don't think this is up to the job, it needs regular de-dusting to keep the temperature within reasonable limits, can anyone recommend a not too expensive replacement that might suffice that would suit this CPU ?

I probably need to sort out the case airflow a bit as well, my current case is quite old and only has room for 80mm front and back.

shadow_boxer · 13 Dec 2011 at 20:11

What case you you have?

Might be worth getting a couple of dust filters too.

j.col · 13 Dec 2011 at 20:34

ian54 said:
by using the auto-unlock and "turbo" function on the motherboard, has made it four core and running at 216Mhz FSB/HT, meaning 4x 3.5Ghz.

are you using software to overclock?
if so then the voltage will be on auto and this can be way over the top.
try the overclock in the bios and manually set the cpu voltage, as more voltage = higher temps

whats your budget for the cooler?

ian54 · 13 Dec 2011 at 20:44

The motherboard is an Asus M4A89GTD Pro USB3, it has a "Turbo" feature which I think has simply raised the FSB up, the voltage appears unchanged.

ian54 · 13 Dec 2011 at 21:09

j.col said:
whats your budget for the cooler?

Not sure, £40 ? I really just want whatever I need to allow 100% all cores without severely overheating at the moment, I'd favour noise over temperature though.

j.col · 13 Dec 2011 at 21:17

if you dont mind buying a used one, i got a Noctua NH-D14 6 months ago for £40.
if you want to buy new, then the VenomousX is very good http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-093-TR&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

jaf2212 · 13 Dec 2011 at 22:03

I'm using this on my BE965 and it does wonders

DarkHorizon472 · 13 Dec 2011 at 23:06

I have the same cooler and when the CPU / gpu are maxed out playing bf3 it ran at 60c with no case fans.

I put in three 120mm akasa 120mm case fans (top - extract air, rear near top - extract, side by gpu - intake air) and now get temps of low 40c. With all the fans flat out in a fairly cool room playing bf3 it runs at below 40c playing bf3 but this is a bit too loud.

You may find a new case would be helpful as the newer ones take bigger fans as standard. It just depends what is causing the temps and how you want to sort it out. Could be the cooler is not fitted properly.

joem1983 · 14 Dec 2011 at 02:03

Getting a new case knocked off over 15c on my OC'd athlon with AC7 at load.
I got a Fractal Design 3000 for £50 which isnt much over your budget... The bitfenix shinobi is also good for the £££
I feel you would still be disappointed if you changed the CPU cooler with the case you have.

Shadz · 14 Dec 2011 at 02:42

I have the Akasa Venom Voodoo CPU cooler and the Akasa Venom Toxic Full Tower Case.

When I got the case it knocked my temps down by about 10degree's.

Then when I got the CPU cooler it knocked the temp of my CPU down by about 9-10degree's
as well.

Would definately recommend these 2 products.

ian54 · 14 Dec 2011 at 09:16

Thanks for replies, it has changed my assumptions on replacing the case as a priority rather than the CPU cooler, I always suspected airflow is an issue but not as major, I was running on integrated graphics for a while and when I installed a graphics cards it actually improved temperature by a few degrees (!), presumably due to another fan inside moving air around.

I've also realised some of the bigger coolers may not actually fit, the Arctic is only 1cm from the edge so I'd guess moving from a 92mm to a 120mm fan is going to use that up.

I'll continue in the Case Forum.

Thanks to all.